There are lots of things online that purport to whet the appetite of those interested in comic properties. Sneak peaks of movies and shows, leaked pics, stolen scripts (or the special printing of scripts to keep them from being stolen), interviews with actors and creators… If you’re diligent, you can get a lot of information from sources all over the ‘net. You can almost spoil the movie or show for yourself because anticipation has grown so high that you’re disappointed when it is merely “solid” instead of “mind blowing.”

I’m not one who goes for all the spoiler-y things. I don’t look at the pictures or read the interviews of things that I’m highly interested in. I want to enjoy the property as much as I can without having too much information about it.

Then there are the headlines that make news, but that are ultimately lies designed to generate clicks. Headlines like this are heinous to me, and really, it only makes me not trust certain publications anymore.

Newsarama “reports” why the Thing drop scene from the latest Fantastic Four movie was cut…only to state they don’t know why but there’s speculation from another publication as to why. (This is nothing but repackaged reporting from another site. It happens a ton nowadays, and not just for comics.)

CBR states that “Hayley Atwell Sets Sights on Dr. Who”, making it seem like she’s in talks to play The Doctor. While I (and many more) would love it, the “report” basically comes from a tweet from one of her fans asking if she’d like to make an appearance on the show, with Atwell replying that she’d like to BE the Doctor. That’s all. A tweet that says one thing, and news sites explode in a frenzy. A tempest in a teapot, or much ado is made over extremely little.

It’s a race to remain fresh and relevant. Without clicks, sites will not generate ad revenue, and people won’t get paid (when they do).

This is the reason behind the “scoops” and “reporting” that often mean nothing, or the reposting of leaked information that can spoil an anticipated show or film.